"It is Finished" May 15th Devotional

 

"It is Finished"

John 19:30

May 15th Devotional

   On this day in 1918, the Washington Senators faced off at Griffith Stadium for a 2:50 matchup against the defending world series champions the Chicago White Sox. Dueling on the mound that day was Lefty Williams for the White Sox and Walter Johnson for the Senators. Johnson is considered one of the greatest pitchers in history. Johnson pitched twenty-one seasons for the Senators, bringing them a World Series in 1924. He was a dominant right-handed pitcher nicknamed the Big Train. Even the legendary Ty Cobb said that Johnson had the most powerful arm he had ever seen. His record upon retirement was 417 wins to 279 losses (second all-time), a 2.17 era, with over 3500 strikeouts (9th all-time). None of that would compare with the feat that he and Lefty Williams accomplished that day. By the end of the 9th inning, the game was still tied at 0-0 with NO relief pitchers. The game went into extra innings. Williams nor Johnson refused to be taken off the mound. They continued to pitch for 18 innings! 18 innings without a relief pitcher!!! The game ended in the 18th inning when Lefty threw a wild pitch allowing Eddie Ainsworth to score from the third. The game ended with a 1-0 for the Senators. Johnson only allowed 10 hits, 1 walk, with 9 strikeouts. The incredible thing was that the game only lasted 2 hours and 47 minutes (most games today last that long for a nine-inning game). Johnson would finish the 1918 season with a 23-13 record and a 1.27 ERA.

     Johnson was determined to finish the game and get the win. He wouldn't leave the mound until the job was complete. This reminds me of another person who wouldn't stop until the job was finished. In John nineteen we find Jesus hanging in agony on the cross being berated by the spectators below. Jesus was suspended between heaven and earth paying the price for our sin. He could have called a legion of angels to take Him off the cross but that would leave the job undone. He came to redeem mankind and the job must be finished. Hanging in the darkness Jesus said in John 19:30 "It is finished." What was finished? The price of our salvation, of our rescue. Jesus stayed on the cross, completing the job which He was sent to accomplish. He would not leave a second earlier. Johnson completed the game for the win and Jesus completed His sacrificial work on the cross for our win, our victory.